Laboratory clamp



Jan. 24 1933. s E I 1,895,156

LABORATORY CLAMP Filed July 16, 1932 WITHESSSS INVENTOR W 9 y t MF-M'Zo .2 c.9464. I 551M, wwwzd Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UN T PATENT" omen:

- E DwIN FISHER, or PITTSBURGH, rjENNsYLvANiA, AssIGNoR TO FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A conroRA'rIoN or PENNSYLVANIA LAiaoBA'roRx C AMP a lication filed as 16, 1932. sem No. 622,836.

This invention relates to laboratory clamps for supporting =condensersand other cylindricalobjects, as well as articles of irregular shape. j I r In the setting up and'use of laboratory apparatus, it is often desirable to move a piece of apparatus, such as a condenser, held in a condenser clamp, laterally of the clamp handle without shifting the position of the entire clamp on its support, e. g. a ring stand, for instance to position the article concentrically of another piece of apparatus. However, the laboratory condenser clamps previously available have been provided with a stationary and a movable jaw, so that such adjustment of the condenser has not been possible, and this construction has rendered diflicult the concentric supporting of apparatus of different diameters.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a laboratory clamp having jaws which are independently adjustable toward and away from each other and are capable of supporting a condenser, or the like, at selective points between the extreme outer positions of the jaws without changing the position of the clamp with respect to. its support, whichis positive in operation, easily and quickly adjustable, simple in construction, strong, durable, and of general utility for supporting a wide variety of apparatus varying both in size and shape.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing as applied to an extension type clamp, Fig. 1 being a perspective view, and Fig. 2 an enlarged side view showing the jaws gripping a condenser of the Liebig type.

The clamp shown comprises a rigid extension arm 1 adapted to be supported in fixed position by a clamp holder of conventional form, not shown, adjustably positioned on a ring stand or similar support in the usual manner. If desired the arm may be provided with means for connecting it directly to ring stands, and the like, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. One end of arm 1 is provided with a bifurcated bracket 2 comprising legs 3 connected at the sides by integral webs 4. Preferably arm 1 is tubular, and

the bracket is connected thereto by a stud 5, Fig. 2, integral with arms 3, which extend in \jl-fashion therefrom. As shown in 'Figif2, stud 5 is inserted into one end of the arm an is held infixed position by a pin 6. Bracket 2 carries a pair of jaws 7 and 8 movable independently toward and from: each other. These jaws are of customary form, and are provided respectively with one and two curved gripping fingers 7a and 811, over which lengths 9 of rubber tubing are slid. The jaws are carried on a pivot pin 10 mounted in webs 1, and extending through flanges 10a formed at the inner ends ofthe jaws. In order to permit the jaws to move independently, the flanges of one jawfit within those of the other jaw, as shown in the drawing. As seen in the drawing, finger b is positioned between finger 8a, whereby slight pressure suflices to grip articles tight ly, because'the pressure of the single finger is exerted between, not opposite, the double fingers." l The jaws are constantly urged apart by aspring acting therebetween, for example by a spring '11 coiledaround pivot pin 10 with its projecting ends 12 hearing in recesses 13 formed at the inner'ends of the aws. "Meansf are provided also for adjusting the position of the jaws'to vary their opening and to hold them iii selected position. In the embodi ment shown this takes the form of thumb screws 14' which move in threaded apertures" formed in the outer ends of bracket legs Spring 11 through its ends 12 continuously presses the arms against the inner ends of: screws 14, which thus bear against the outer facesjo'f the jaws.

It'isimportant to note both jaws are pivoted idtheibrztcket, the jaws are 1 movable both relative-to each other and to "the arm- This constitutes 'an im-' portant advance over-prior rcl'amps of this that asthe ends or type, in whic'h one jaw is stationary, so'thatl the axia'l position of a condenser or other object held in the clamp cannot be'shifted mere adjustment of themovable'jaw the clamp provided by this invention either may be adjustedfindependently of the other by turning. the appropriate thumb screw 'in' position.

orout. Thus either orboth jaws may be moved to vary the jaw opening to accommodate objects of various sizes and shapes. But

arm to the desired position, and then adjusting the other arm by means of its thumb screw. Thereby articles of different diameter may-be concentrically supported. This may be seen from Fig. 2, in which a Liebig condenser 15 is held with jaw 8 in its outermost The condenser may be moved j are independently ad ustable with respect to axially to any desired position between that shownin full lines and one corresponding to the outermost position of arm 7 by retracting-the screwacting on arm 7 to permit spring 11 to move the jaw 5 to thedotted its screw to clamp line position, arm 7 being then broughtup by the condenser. Accordingly it will be seen that withthe clamp held in. fixed position its jaw opening may be ad'- j-usted toshift the axial position of the condenser as need be between the outer positions of eitherjaw. This provides for a relatively widerange of shifting the condenser position laterally of the supporting arms, so that such adjustments may be made more easilythan has been the case with prior clamps.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction of my invention, and haveillustrated and described what I now conslder to represent its best embodiment. How

ever, I desire to have it understood that,

- within the scope of the appended claims, the

invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Iclaim: f 1. A laboratory utility clamp. comprising an arm, a pair of opposed jaws pivotally connected' to one'end of said arm, and means acting upon each of said jaws for selectively adjusting the position of each of said jaws relative to the other and to said arm.

2. A laboratory utility clamp comprising an arm, a pair of opposed article-gripping jaws pivotally connected to one end of said arm for independent movement, a spring disposed between the jaws to urge them apart, and a pair of adjusting screws connected to said arm and acting one on each of said jaws V for independentl moving the jaws with respect to -one anot er and to saidiarm.

3. A laboratory utility clamp comprising a rigid arm, a bifurcated bracket connected to :one end of said arm, a pair of articlegripping jaws pivotally connectedat one end zbetween the legs of said bracket for independent movement, a spring disposed, be-' tween said jaws to constantly urge them apart, and a thumb screw disposed in each legof said bracket with its inner end bearing against the outer face of the adjacent jaw bracket legs and connected to one end of said arm, a pair of article-grippingjaws pivotally connected at one end between the legs of said bracket, a spring disposed between said-jaws adjacent their pivoted ends constantly urging the jaws apart,'and"a thumb screw disposed in each'leg of said bracket with its inner end bearing againstthe outer face of the adjacentjaw, whereby the aws each other and the arm and; the central axis of the jawopening is adjustable'laterally of the longitudinal axis of the arm between the outermost positions of the jaws. g In testimony whereof, I sign my, name. I EDWIN. H. EISHER 

